A few articles to balance the Pro-Peptide news out a bit (sadly there is not a lot of good research on the efficacy / side effects of most peptides):
The use of injectable peptides for a range of perceived health benefits is surging, fueled by aggressive marketing campaigns and miraculous claims from celebrities and influencers about their ability to clear up facial blemishes, aid muscle repair, promote longevity and more.
Some peptide products, such as collagen supplements for skin care, are applied topically or ingested in pill form. According to doctors, these are considered safe, even if there isn’t always strong evidence behind their claims. But far riskier, scientists say, are peptides purchased as powders to be reconstituted as self-administered injections without approval by the Food and Drug Administration.
Of the unregulated injectables, BPC-157, TB-500 and CJC-1295, marketed as promoting muscle growth, fat loss and recovery from injury, are among the most popular. None are backed by large-scale, peer-reviewed clinical trials in humans, and all are sold as “research chemicals” not subject to FDA regulation. All three raise red flags, experts say, warning that their claimed health benefits are unproven, their advertised ingredients are often incorrect, and their potential side effects are inadequately studied.
The hype around peptides been growing since 2020, but in recent months interest has surged, with backing from top figures in the Make America Healthy Again movement. In a podcast interview this year, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said he would end the FDA’s “war on peptides.” He did not specify which peptides he was referring to — the category is vast — but he said Americans should be free to make their own informed health decisions.
Here’s what to know about peptides, their uses and their risks.
Read the full story: Some celebrities swear by peptides, but doctors warn of serious risks (WaPo)
And, from Jordan Shlain, MD (Concierge doctor to SF Bay Area wealthy and Tech oriented):
To Be or Not to B(e)PC-157
The Doctor (Your Steady North Star):
“I get it—peptides like BPC-157 are the shiny new toy everyone’s talking about. Social media makes them look like liquid gold in a vial. But here’s where I plant my flag: we’re operating on mouse studies and Instagram testimonials. Oh, by the way, mouse studies translate to human studies about 5% of the time. Would you invest with a 5% of success? There are zero human trials worth their salt. No FDA blessing. Right now, we’re dealing with more marketing muscle than medical evidence.”
The Risk-Taker (Living on Tomorrow’s Promise):
“Doc, waiting for official approval is like expecting Congress to agree on pizza toppings. Meanwhile, the early adopters are out there healing faster and feeling younger. I’m not talking reckless—I’m talking calculated risk. Life doesn’t pause for peer review. Sometimes you’ve got to bet on yourself before the house publishes the odds. If it flops, I pivot. If it works, I’m miles ahead of the pack.”
Your Concerned Loved One (The Voice of Protective Wisdom):
“Hold up there, hotshot. You only get one body—why turn it into a science experiment? This isn’t day trading where you can cut your losses and move on. Your liver doesn’t have a customer service department. And when things go sideways—and they might—guess who’s holding the bag? Not the guru who sold you the dream. It’s the people who love you, watching you navigate whatever mess comes next.”
End of Act 1, Scene 1
So why has BPC-157 become so popular without human data? Part of it is the longevity gold rush —an industry of influencers, clinics, and companies promising shortcuts to performance and youth. Part of it is mistrust of mainstream medicine. Ironically, the same culture that rejects proven therapies because of mistrust is quick to embrace unregulated injections with no proof behind them.
Read the full Substack Article: To Be or Not to B(e)PC-157
Jordan’s 3 questions:
- If five years from now we learn that BPC-157 causes cancer, infertility, or organ damage, would I regret being an early adopter? Am I willing to inject something into my body that’s sold without oversight, knowing quality and purity aren’t guaranteed?
- Do I want my future health built on science—or on marketing?
- Would I recommend this to my younger brother, best friend, or son—knowing what I know right now?